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The great thing about reading is that it’s for everyone! Belinda Outwater, Auburn’s Library Manager, strives to share her passion for books with others.
From a young age, Belinda and her grandmother would get lost for hours in a good book at the library. Reading was an outlet for her, a passion she carried throughout school and into her adult life.
Belinda attended Auburn Elementary and Russell Middle School before graduating from Winder-Barrow High School in 1995. “The library pretty much raised me during my middle and high school years,” she recalls.
Heavily involved in the journalism club, Belinda loved the fast-paced environment and the competitiveness of being the first to break a story. “It taught me time management and how to meet deadlines,” she says. These skills stayed with her long after graduation.
After WBHS, Belinda attended Brewton-Parker College in South Georgia. She then worked at a bookstore for 10 years, a job she loved until the store went out of business. This led her to start volunteering at the library, which eventually turned into a part-time job and then a manager position. “I have no regrets; I’ve enjoyed every moment of my journey,” she says.
Belinda earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Carolina. She is now a member of the School Governance Team (SGT) for Bethlehem Elementary School. “I love being involved with the schools and being able to give back, letting them know what the libraries can offer,” she says. “Barrow County libraries have phenomenal relationships with the Barrow County School System.”
“It is such a good thing for our students. We want to help get them excited about reading and playtime.”
Belinda collaborates with media specialists in the Apalachee cluster, aiming to help parents become their child’s first teacher.
Her advice for students?
"My advice for students is to not compare your journey to others. Success looks different for everyone, and what is most important is to follow your heart and do what makes you happy."